Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board finds no evidence of a chronic low back disability or degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine in service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.,There is also insufficient medical evidence to support a finding that the veteran's neurogenic bladder condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his military service and has granted service connection. The veteran's lumbosacral strain, which was already service-connected, has been rated at its maximum allowable under the old rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a neck or cervical spine disability and an increased rating for TMJ disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and service, including a claimed in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed cervical spine disorder and cholecystitis are not service-connected, as they were not shown in service or for years thereafter, and there is no evidence of a nexus to his active service. The veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated based on its severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral strain disabilities do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine injury and associated upper extremity weakness. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct an orthopedic examination to determine the etiology of his current cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a rating of 60 percent, but no higher. The hypertension issue is also addressed and a 60 percent evaluation is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic spine condition in service and insufficient medical evidence to link current spinal disabilities to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Claxton Hepburn Medical Center on March 17, 2004 were not reimbursable because a VA facility was feasibly available to provide treatment for his low back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's cervical spondylosis is related to service or within one year of discharge.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current disability is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA orthopedic examination to diagnose any cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, if present, and to provide an opinion on their etiology. The veteran's service records show complaints of neck and back pain but no current diagnoses were made until after service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability and cervical spine disability are causally related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, cervical strain and degenerative changes of the cervical spine, paresthesias of both lower extremities, and residuals of cerebral concussion. The veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The Board found no evidence of scoliosis in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for this condition. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a link between current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine and service, leading to denial of these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including proper VCAA notice and a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic injury in service and concluded that the veteran's current cervical spine condition did not have its onset during her military service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck and back disabilities, as well as his bilateral foot disability, are related to service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have diverticulitis related to active service and denied his claim for service connection. The lumbar spine disability is also denied as there is no evidence of a relationship between the current disability and military service.